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Flashback: Arrogate’s ‘Secretariat’ Performance In The Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup meeting celebrates its historic 25th anniversary on March 27, with six Group 1 races and three Group 2s, including one of the world's premier races, the $12 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Over the next few days, the Dubai Racing Club will pay tribute to each of the previous Dubai World Cup winners. Today, we rewind to 2017 when Arrogate pulled off a thrilling win for American trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith.

Arrogate came rolling through the desert of Dubai and wowed the world with a Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) performance that will be remembered for decades to come. Owned by the iconic Juddmonte Farms, trained by America's premier classic-race conditioner Bob Baffert and ridden by the leading 'big-money rider' Mike Smith, Arrogate was not exactly a rags-to-riches story, but the gray son of Unbridled's Song's tale of accomplishing the impossible was no less incredible.

The moment the gates opened in the US $10 million affair, the 4-year-old colt's chances were all but lost when horses to the outside and inside pinched him back to last. Appearing helplessly beaten from the get-go, he spotted the field several lengths and was placed in an astern position he had never experienced. But Arrogate would not be denied. Quickly gaining composure under confident handling, the highest-rated horse in the world gradually inhaled his opponents one-by-one in dramatic, deliberate fashion.

The anticipation of the crowd grew with each horse he put away until he finally got to country-mate, subsequent Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner and American Horse of the Year Gun Runner… but the showdown lasted mere moments as Arrogate passed his chestnut rival in an instant. Forging to the front, he won comfortably in the end, blowing the proverbial roof off the gargantuan Meydan grandstand and becoming the richest racehorse to ever look through a bridle.

Trainer Bob Baffert was quoted saying: “We had not seen a performance like that since (1973 American Triple Crown winner) Secretariat.”

Previous to the Dubai World Cup, Arrogate won the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1), $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) in succession. He won on the lead, stalking and coming from behind, while making countless G1 winners and numerous champions from around the globe look like ordinary horses. And he did it with style. There is only one Arrogate and on March 25, 2017, the world saw the culmination of his greatness.

The post Flashback: Arrogate’s ‘Secretariat’ Performance In The Dubai World Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Mystic Guide Draws Six For Dubai World Cup

Godolphin's Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper), the current favourite to give Sheikh Mohammed a tenth victory in the Dubai World Cup, has drawn gate six for Saturday's $12 million contest.

His trainer Michael Stidham, who his making his Dubai debut, was clearly delighted with his 4-year-old's starting position. He said at Wednesday's draw at Meydan, “It's perfect. I couldn't be happier.”

Mystic Guide is one of three runners for the owner each trained in different countries, with the Andre Fabre trainee Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro) having drawn 12 and Saeed Bin Suroor's representative Gifts Of Gold (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) widest of all in 14.

Recent GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational runner-up Jesus' Team (Tapiture) will jump from stall nine and will have Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado next to him in 10.

Jose Francisco D'Angelo, trainer of 4-year-old Jesus Team, said, “When I saw post position nine I was happy because it's in the middle. He doesn't need to make an aggressive move at the beginning. I like the number nine, and I am very sure [about my horse]. It was a relief. In the Breeders' Cup Mile he had to start from gate 11. He can move fast to find a good spot.”

Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}), who took third behind Mishriff (Ire) and Charlatan in the Saudi Cup last month, has the assistance of Frankie Dettori from his inside draw in stall one, with locally-trained Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) drawn alongside him in two, just inside Japanese raider Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}).

Ryuji Okubo, trainer of the latter, was also satisfied with the outcome. He said, “It is a good draw. I didn't want a wide gate because [the start] is close to the first turn.”

The Fawzi Al Nass-trained Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) takes his place in the Dubai World Cup line-up on the back of consecutive victories in rounds two and three of the Al Maktoum Challenge. The 6-year-old has drawn 11, while Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who returns at Meydan following his sixth-place Saudi Cup finish, is in five.

Completing the field are Title Ready (More Than Ready) in gate four, Ajuste Fiscal (Uru) (Ioya Bigtime) in gate 13, Thegreatcollection (Saint Anddan) in eight, and Capezzano (Bernadini) has been drawn in seven.

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Plenty of Action During Tuesday Track Work at Meydan

Morning action at Meydan continued apace on Tuesday, with several Dubai World Cup night contenders stretching their legs just a few days before the blockbuster nine-race card on Saturday.

Last year's JRA Champion Dirt Horse and G1 Champions Cup hero Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who goes for the $12-million Dubai World Cup, galloped over the dirt track on Tuesday morning with regular pilot Keita Tosaki in the irons. He was ninth in the Saudi Cup in February.

“He has trained well so far,” said Tosaki. “The trainer told me to start a slow gallop at the beginning and then in the rest of the work I should decide the way he ran. I asked my horse to run comfortably and drive a bit more strongly towards the end of the stretch. He is more enthusiastic about his job compared to last time in Saudi, and I really understand how he is doing well and how good his condition is. He appears ready to race.”

Japan also fields a strong challenge in the $5-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}), a three-time winner at the highest level in her native land including the G1 Arima Kinen Grand Prix in late December, galloped over the turf track with pilot Yuichi Kitamura on board.

“I picked up from the third bend and drove her comfortably to bring out her flexibility, without having too strong a breeze in the stretch,” said Kitamura. “It was my first ride on the turf track at Meydan, and the ground seems to be firmer than I expected. I thought it would be more cushioned but the grass itself is in really good condition. The ground won't be her issue anyway. I am very proud of how well she has travelled for the first time with a long flight. She feels really good and is settling in well at the quarantine barn.”

G1 Japanese Oaks heroine Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) worked on the dirt track with jockey Oisin Murphy aboard at 5 a.m.

“I have asked Oisin to get a feel for her and he said she was very fresh and sound,” said trainer Yoshito Yahagi. “I want her to put on a bit more weight as she lost some weight while she was isolated in Japan. But her flight experience last year when she came to Dubai helped her a lot this time. Since she arrived in Dubai, she has settled in well and her appetite has been back, and I hope she keeps improving her condition for Saturday's race. Oisin will give her a gallop either on dirt or turf tomorrow. He can choose whichever he likes.”

Simon and Ed Crisford's $4-million G1 Dubai Turf duo Court House (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), who was second in the G2 Al Rashidiya in February and G3 Darley S. third Epic Hero (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) breezed 1200 metres on Tuesday morning. Head lad Dan Hutchinson was on Epic Hero and Ryan Powell rode Court House.

“Both worked very well this morning, they are fit and ready and we couldn't be happier with them.” Simon Crisford said. “Court House has run extremely well on the Meydan turf in his last two starts so we are hopeful he can run another consistent race. He's training well and enjoys racing up with the pace.

“Epic Hero has done very well since his first Carnival race and we are hopeful he can run a nice race. Obviously, he will need to improve on his best form, but he deserves to take his chance.”

Last out G1 Jebel Hatta victor Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) who is also targetting the Dubai Turf, was also in action, and breezed a quarter mile on the Meydan grass.

Trainer David O'Meara said, “Lord Glitters did a nice breeze over 400m on the grass this morning. That will be his final piece of fast work before the weekend and he is in good order.”

Trainer Nigel Tinkler's stakes winner Acklam Express (Ire), from the first crop of leading European first-season sire Mehmas (Ire), breeze on turf under rider Rowan Scott. Second and third in the G2 Meydan Sprint and G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint in February and March, respectively, he is entered for the $1-million G1 Al Quoz Sprint.

Tinkler, who is currently in the UK said, “Acklam Express worked this morning and he worked very nicely as he followed Lord Glitters during his gallop. He has been doing very well in Dubai and seems to like it there.”

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Flashback: ‘Alchemy In Dubai’ As Chrome Wins 2016 World Cup

Over the next week, the Dubai Racing Club will pay tribute to each of the previous Dubai World Cup winners. Today, we rewind to 2016 when California Chrome won the Dubai World Cup under Victor Espinoza for trainer, Art Sherman.

California Chrome and his connections had a score to settle in 2016. A year earlier he had arrived in Dubai in a flurry of publicity, carrying a weight of expectation after being crowned the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner.

Despite his humble breeding he had defeated some of the most blue-blooded Thoroughbreds ever to enter a starting gate in the USA. He prepped for the 2015 Dubai World Cup in the Grade 2 San Antonio Invitational, finishing second and went straight to the Dubai World Cup. Yet that race – at the time the richest on the planet with a US$10m prize purse – eluded him. He was pipped to the post by the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Prince Bishop under William Buick.

Yet trainer Art Sherman and his assistant, son, Alan Sherman remained undaunted, gave their hugely popular stable star a break and brought him back into training for a second crack at the Dubai World Cup in 2016.

On the big day jockey, Victor Espinoza, California Chrome's long-term partner, sent his mount to the head of affairs from his draw, second widest in gate 11. He was content to sit wide, just off the pace as Frankie Dettori, a veteran of three Dubai World Cup victories, dictated affairs aboard the Todd Pletcher-trained Mshawish.

Once they rounded the home turn, Espinoza asked California Chrome for an effort. Only too happy to oblige the chestnut pulled away from the pack in a matter of strides, leaving the field stretched out behind him, with the UAE Derby winner, Mubtaahij running into second and the Bob Baffert-trained Hoppertunity a fast-finishing third.

After the race it transpired that Espinoza had ridden his finish with a saddle that had slipped backwards under his horse's belly.

“Turning for home, I couldn't wait any longer and I had to go because I felt like the saddle was slipping,” he said. “I was just trying to keep my balance and not move my body. I wasn't that concerned about it (the slipped saddle), I just kept looking forward and thinking: 'Where's the wire?'.

“There's alchemy in Dubai – Chrome turns to gold,” said race commentator, Terry Spargo as the yet-to-be anointed 2016 Horse of the Year crossed the line.

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